 The Artist...
Les Powell
Bio
Growing up in Ocean City, Maryland in the late 1960's and 70's I spent a lot of time wandering the woodlands and marshes surrounding my home. These explorations led to an interest in the ways that earlier people lived in that same area, chiefly in the ways that they made the things that allowed them to survive and flourish in an environment that wasn't as gentle for them as it was for me. I read as much as I could about the native Americans and the early settlers of this country and often wished that I was born in a time when a person made their living with the creativity in their hands and strength in their back. Using the knowledge that I had learned I tried my hand at creating the arts that they practiced. It wasn't until I met a young woman in my high school art class that I found my true art form. She was a potter and taught me to use the wheel. Although the romance didn't work out, she started me on a path, that though I've occasionally stepped off, I have followed most of my life.
Artist Statement
I am for the most part a self-taught artist, this gives me a certain leeway in the way I create. With no pre-conceived rules to follow I'm free to decide,within the parameters of the material, the form that my pottery will take. I find a lot of my influences in the patterns of nature, the art of the American Southwest, and the carvings of the Northwest Tribes. Above all... it is the power in the smoke and fire that truly creates my work.
Resume
Summary
30 years as a student and instructor of wheel thrown pottery with a specialty in alternative firing techniques.
I conduct classes and workshops throughout the Southeast on alternative firing techniques and would enjoy expanding to share my passion worldwide.
Experience/Education
Smoking Turtle Studio – 2001 to present
Highwater Clays – 2006 to present
BA, Architectural Design, University of Delaware, 1987
Workshops & Teaching Experience
2006 – Horse Hair Raku Class, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
Nine week Class on Stone Burnishing and Horse Hair Raku Firing Techniques
2007 – Saggar Fired Pottery, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
Nine week class on Stone Burnishing and Saggar Firing Techniques
2007 – Stone Burnishing Demonstration – Linda & Charlies Riggs Workshop, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
2007 – Alternative Firing Techniques Workshop, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
2 day special workshop on a variety of alternative firing techniques
Awards
2007 Art on Main, Hendersonville, NC, 2nd Place Fine Craft
2007 Montford Art & Music Festival, Asheville, NC 1st Place Fine Craft
2006 Lowertown Arts Festival. Paducah, KY 1st Place Fine Craft
2006 Inman Park Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA, 2nd Place Fine Craft
2004 Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, Murrells Inlet, SC, Honorable Mention Fine Craft
Exhibitions & Shows
2007 Art on Main, Hendersonville,NC
2007 Montford Art & Music Festival, Asheville, NC
2007 Lowertown Arts Festival, Paducah, KY
2007 Inman Park Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA
2007 Studio Stroll, River Arts District, Asheville, NC
2007 Arts & Heritage Festival, N. Augusta, SC
2006 Inman Park Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA
2006 Studio Stroll, River Arts District, Asheville, NC
2006 Arts & Heritage Festival, N. Augusta, SC
2005 Studio Stroll River Arts District, Asheville, NC
2004 Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, Murrells Inlet, SC
2002 Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival, Murrells Inlet, SC
Galleries
Textures on Main, Waynesville, NC
Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, NC
Sunset River Gallery, Calabash, NC
Organizations
Hand Made in America
River Arts District, Asheville, NC
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